that lincoln could and did recognize the importance of it. >> i think the one thing that president obama said he's learned from his first term is that his communication skills were not as he wished them to be. that's critical in a democracy. athink affordable health care act is a transformational act. but you watch him on victory night. he was able to speak to the crowd with such energy and such conviction and moral strength because he needs the energy of the crowd. it's not a question of him not having the words, i think he needs to connect more to the people in the second term. lincoln had public opinion badge baths where they could talk to him in the morning. if i were him in summer, i would take a train around the country with his family and stop at village stations, he needs that, almost like when he's with the crowds something happens to him and the white house becomes a bubble and the communication skills go down because you're not feeling the people. the reason fdr was not a great speaker, he had two press conferences a week. he got the feeling of the people through the people an